Cleaning a filthy firearm.

[Outlaws]

So I am cleaning my Swedish Mauser for the first time, and the barrel is not wanting to get clean.
20 cleaning patches through it and the thing is still black. I took the coffee straw attachment and put some break cleaner down the barrel (from inside the chamber...maybe a stupid idea? but that stuff cleans anything), after putting the brush through it the next 5 patches came out black again.

Any ideas?

 

[esmith]

Well when i have problems i lay the solvent on pretty thick. Plus i use a bore mop which helps a lot. When i say a lot i mean like 10 cleaning patches worth of cleaning with one swipe. Also you're cleaning patches may be too small but i doubt thats the problem.

 

[Outlaws]

Hmmm. I need a bore mop. I have them for shotguns, but I guess I never really got into them for rifles since a few patches generally gets stuff clean.

I am still surprised the break cleaner didn't do more.

What do you guys all use to clean the chambers with?

 

[PGroenewold]

I see this a lot with my older milsurps. The bores may be pitted from years of (ab)use and that pitting gives a lot of nooks and crannies for the crud to hide. It's not unusual for me to go through at least 40-50 patches when I get a vintage rifle and clean its bore for the first time.

Several things you may want to try. After swabbing out the bigger chunks, you might want to fill the bore with Hoppes or similar and let it soak overnight. That may help draw out some of the crud.

Another method is the poor man's electronic bore cleaner. I think instructions are at one of the surplus rifle web sites; just do a Google search. You make it out of a stainless steel rod, some washers, and a 9V battery. You would not believe the amount of black, nasty crud that it will suck out of your bore.

Even with all these things, after you start shooting your Mauser you may well find that the bore will copper-foul easily because of all the pitting. It seems to scrape off and hold part of the bullet's jacket. Some folks recommend using an ammonia-based cleaner to remove all the copper after each shooting. I find you can easily spend an hour until your patches no longer come out blue.

Others tell you to simply swab the bore a handful of times after each range trip, and just shoot the blessed thing rather than obsess about cleanliness. Right or wrong, I usually choose the latter. My M96 is nearly 100 years old, and it's one of the most accurate rifles I own.

Good luck,

PG

 

[skinnyguy]

Check out this article on http://www.theboxotruth.com/

Educational Zone #48 - Cleaning a Rifle Barrel

 

[FieroCDSP]

I've used some #0000 steel wool and hoppes oil on my M44 and SKS bores that had pitting and a lot of crusted black stuff. I've also tried Carb/throttle body cleaner (carbon remover). Between them and the carb cleaner, I pulled a lot out, but there's still a lot in there. I don't sweat it.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Using oven mitts, pour boiling water down the bore a few times and get the barrel nice and hot. THEN hit it with the solvents and patches.

 

[psyopspec]

Most coffee pots will turn the water hot enough for the desired effect. Mine gets it hot enough that the excess water evaporates from the residual heat. I only utilize this technique after extreme use - IE 300+ rounds through a battle rifle.

 

[Justin]

JB Bore Paste.

 

[Pat McCoy]

Use "Carbon Killer" from Slip2000 to get the carbon copletely out. It is non-toxic and biodegradable. After that use "Eliminator" from bore Tech to remove the copper (again it is non-toxic and biodegradable). You will have to use a high quality lube after these cleaners, as they take everything out of the bore. I use Tetra lube or Slip2000 lube.

A few extra bucks for prper cleaning solvents can save you thousands in medical bills if you use chemicals which are toxic to your liver and kidneys (as most are).

 

[CWL]

Plug the barrel and fill it with your favorite solvent, let it soak for a day or two. Then get to scrubbing with an oversized brass cleaning brush.

I have heard (but never tried) that whitening toothpase (the kind that has mild abrasive in it) will work as a cheap cleaner that will scrub out the bore without damaging the metal. Squirt a lot in there and get to scrubbing, repeat until the runoff is no longer black. Use water to rinse and oil immediately. I wouldn't leave it in the barrel to soak for too long as toothpaste contains water.

 

[ilbob]

Plug the barrel and fill it with your favorite solvent, let it soak for a day or two. Then get to scrubbing with an oversized brass cleaning brush.

What he said.


I would not obsess too much over it. As another poster noted, it has been that way for maybe 30 years and has not harmed it any, or affected its safety or accuracy any.

 

[DMK]

Just be careful with abrasive cleaners, scrapers and such.

Dark bore, pitted bore, rusty bore, they are all the same. There are little pits in the barrel that trap carbon, copper and maybe lead fouling.

You cannot get pits out of your bore without seriously wearing out your barrel. You cannot get all the fouling out of the pits using abrasives. Using aggressive 'scouring' of the barrel will wear down your rifling lands and maybe even the throat.

Using chemical means is a better, safer method (bore foam, Hoppes, Sweets, Ed's Red, etc). Follow the directions.

I agree with PGroenewold. It's never going to be a slick, shiny barrel again. Just get past it and enjoy shooting the thing.